Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias has set the goal of making the Hellenic Navy Europe’s leading force in the development of autonomous platforms, as Greece expands its use of uncrewed systems across its armed forces.
Speaking Tuesday, October 13, at the inauguration of the Inter-Service Training Center for Uncrewed and Autonomous Maritime Systems at the Palaskas Training Center in Skaramangas, Dendias said the effort would cover operations on land, at sea and in the air, with the aim of improving operational effectiveness and strengthening the country’s deterrence capabilities.
“The Hellenic Navy should be the first — I repeat, the first — in Europe in the development of autonomous platforms,” he said.
“We threaten no one. We only defend the constitutional and legal rights of our homeland,” Dendias added, outlining the defensive purpose of the initiative.
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AI and autonomous systems expand naval capabilities
Dendias emphasized the transition from remotely operated or uncrewed systems to autonomous platforms, saying artificial intelligence, under ultimate human control, could create new operational capabilities, particularly in the Aegean Sea.
The systems could be used for surveillance, reconnaissance, port protection, mine warfare and the protection of critical underwater energy and communications infrastructure. They could also take over some patrol duties, reducing the time naval crews must spend at sea.
The initiative forms part of Greece’s broader effort to modernize its armed forces and develop domestic expertise in autonomous military technology.
Pirpolitis advances toward large-scale production
A central focus of the presentation was the Pirpolitis, an uncrewed surface vessel designed, developed and built entirely by Hellenic Navy personnel.
Dendias said the vessel’s autonomous operating capabilities were in the final stage of testing. The next objectives are to produce it in large numbers and develop larger Greek-built autonomous vessels.
The Pirpolitis can reach speeds of more than 40 knots and is designed for surveillance, reconnaissance and strike missions.
Its name refers to the fire ships used by Greek fighters during the 1821 War of Independence to attack the Ottoman fleet.
Other uncrewed systems presented
The center’s briefing materials also featured several other systems intended for maritime surveillance and underwater operations.
Corsair: A U.S.-made autonomous vessel developed by Saronic, capable of coordinated operations in swarms. The Hellenic Navy has evaluated the system and submitted a procurement request through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
Kanaris 1 and Kanaris 2: Fast uncrewed surveillance vessels with maximum speeds of 55 and 45 knots, respectively.
Pluto Plus and Plutino Miki: Uncrewed underwater systems designed to detect and neutralize mines, with operating capabilities at depths of up to 300 meters.
The Pirpolitis and Corsair were identified in the report as particularly significant systems.
Dendias also referred to plans for the Greek flag to be raised on the Nearhos frigate in France, as well as preliminary discussions with Italy on the transfer of mine-countermeasure equipment to address existing operational gaps.
Training center forms part of Agenda 2030
The new center is part of Greece’s Agenda 2030 defense modernization initiative. It follows the groundbreaking ceremony for the 309th Uncrewed Systems Manufacturing Facility in June and the July inauguration of a corresponding inter-service training center for aerial uncrewed systems in Tripoli.
Dendias linked technological modernization with personnel training, stressing that effective use of the new systems depends on properly trained and knowledgeable staff.
“The state must provide them with the appropriate training. That is our responsibility. And that is what the center we are inaugurating today will do,” he said.
After the ceremony, Dendias toured the facilities and received briefings on maintenance and practical training for uncrewed systems. He also watched simulator demonstrations and an operational scenario involving surface vessels and underwater systems at the Naval Training Command’s maritime testing range.
The ceremony was attended by the chiefs of Greece’s armed forces: Gen. Dimitrios Choupis, chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff; Lt. Gen. Georgios Kostidis, chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff; Vice Adm. Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras, chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff; and Lt. Gen. Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff.
Former Defense Minister Evangelos Apostolakis, lawmakers Nikolaos Vlahakos, George Vrettakos, Michalis Livanos and Sofia-Haido Asimakopoulou, Special Adviser on National Security Vice Admiral (ret.), Attica regional representatives, former Navy chiefs and senior military officers also attended.
Dendias to meet German defense minister in Crete
Dendias is scheduled to meet German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Wednesday, October 14, at the NATO Missile Firing Installation (NAMFI) in Crete, with European defense cooperation and the development of new military capabilities expected to top the agenda.
The bilateral talks will focus on Europe’s defense and security challenges, particularly cooperation between Greece and Germany in the defense industry and technology. The ministers will also discuss the need to develop European defense capabilities suited to current and future strategic requirements.
Pistorius’ visit coincides with SPARTAN ARROW 26, an annual air defense exercise organized by the German armed forces at NAMFI.
During the visit, the two ministers are expected to observe firings of the PATRIOT and LEFLASYS-OZELOT air defense systems, as well as a certification firing of the new IRIS-T SLM air defense system.
The activities are intended to demonstrate air defense capabilities at a time when countering modern aerial threats is a key priority for European armed forces. The ministers are expected to make joint statements to the press at approximately 2:40 p.m. following their meeting and the scheduled activities.
Greece and Canada sign classified information agreement
Greece and Canada have also signed a bilateral agreement on the mutual protection of classified information, establishing a framework intended to facilitate cooperation on defense and security matters.
The agreement was signed at Greece’s Ministry of National Defense by Maj. Gen. Emmanouil Hatzi, director of the Fifth Branch of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, and Canadian Ambassador to Athens Sonya J. Thissen. Gen. Dimitrios Choupis, chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, attended the signing.
The agreement sets out reciprocal protections for classified information exchanged between the two countries. It does not entail immediate operational or arms procurement commitments but creates the conditions for deeper defense relations between the two NATO allies.
Turkey advances trilateral defense agreement
Separately, Turkey is moving forward with parliamentary procedures for the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on August 7.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced after a Cabinet meeting that the agreement would be submitted to Turkey’s Grand National Assembly in the coming days. Work is also continuing on establishing permanent institutional mechanisms, with collective defense and regional cooperation as central priorities.
Erdogan condemned recent Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and reiterated Ankara’s support for Riyadh.
The agreement marks a step toward institutionalizing trilateral cooperation, with the potential to strengthen military coordination and Turkey’s long-term presence in the Gulf. Ratification, however, would not automatically require troop deployments or participation in military operations. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has described the agreement as defensive.
For Greece, the development does not immediately change the military balance in the Aegean, but it highlights Ankara’s efforts to expand its role and military influence in the Middle East, with potential implications for broader regional security dynamics.